KSHSAA votes down changes to football playoff format

Monday

Jun 18, 2012 at 12:01 AMJun 18, 2012 at 5:19 PM

Jeremy Costello

The Kansas High School Activities Association voted against proposed changes to the current football playoff and Districts formats in a voting session Monday.
The proposal was to redistribute the classification of the Kansas member schools to lower the number of Class 4A teams from 64 (currently the largest classification) to 48 teams. The 12 smallest teams would be moved to Class 3A, and the 12 smallest 3A schools would move down to 2-1A, increasing the size of that class.
With the new classifications, the proposal also would’ve included changes to the current Districts format. Class 4A would have had eight six-team Districts, with the top three from each qualifying for the state playoffs (24 teams total would make the playoffs). The eight district winners would’ve had a first-round bye, with the remaining 16 teams to play and advance.
The current district format is 16 four-team Districts, with the top two teams from each qualifying for the playoffs.
Increasing the size of the districts presumably would decrease the chances of teams with weaker records entering the playoffs.
Of the classes involved in the voting, only 4A?member schools voted yes to the proposed changes with a 39-25 result. Class 3A (47-17), 2A?(42-22) and 1A (75-23) all voted against the changes. The total vote count was 189-101 against the motion. KSHSAA requires a majority vote in both total votes and majority of classes involved with the voting.
- Other significant changes were made during KSHSAA’s last meeting June 6 and 7:
Athletes who place 8th in an event at the state track and field meet will earn a medal and score team points.
A 14-foot coaching box will be implemented for basketball games at all levels.
To expand the bracket, tennis players at the state tournament who lose in the first round will be able to advance in the consolation bracket if they win their second match.
Other denied proposals include:
Awarding the third-place regional team in cross country to receive a plaque.
Allowing fifth- or sixth-place finishers at Regional track and field meets to qualify for State given they meet or exceed a certain standard.